Arthur Hailey was a distinguished British-Canadian novelist renowned for his plot-driven storylines set against the backdrops of various industries. He was born in England and began his writing career as an RAF pilot during the Second World War. After the war, he lived and wrote in Canada, becoming a Canadian citizen in addition to his British nationality. He also resided briefly in the United States.

For the last twenty-six years of his life, Arthur Hailey, along with his wife Sheila, made their home in the Bahamas. Hailey's novels have been published in thirty-nine languages, with an estimated 170 million copies sold worldwide. Most of his books have been adapted into films or TV series. His notable works include bestsellers such as Hotel (1965), Airport (1968), Wheels (1971), The Moneychangers (1975), and Overload (1979).

Arthur Hailey transitioned to full-time writing in 1956, spurred by the success of the CBC television drama, Flight into Danger (published as Runway Zero Eight). Following the success of Hotel, he moved to California and then permanently to the Bahamas in 1969. His novels are characterized by their detailed research into the settings' industries and their impact on society. Despite critics sometimes dismissing his work as formulaic "potboilers," Arthur Hailey's books remain celebrated for their engaging narratives and insightful depictions of their chosen industries.